Chemical drum pumps are items engineered to handle different corrosive chemicals, flammable liquids and dangerous viscous products stemming from intermediate bulk containers and 55-gallon drums. These drum pumps are used for different items, but the most common applications include a plethora of acidic substances. Each of the substances are dangerous and need to be handled with care when moved from one area to another. Companies like FLUX has a huge range of expertise to offer and provide solution for every demand. Below is a description of the different pumping applications:
• Sulphuric Acid
Sulphuric acid is a highly hazardous chemical presenting with the ability to cause chemical burns, dehydration, and blindness when exposed to the human eye. The substance’s ability to corrode skin is detrimental, but it is also able to corrode more substantial surfaces include metal and stone.
• Nitric Acid
Nitric acid is another corrosive chemical that can cause corrosion when exposed to mucous membranes, human eyes, and skin. Unlike sulphuric acid that will cause severe damage regardless of the type of contact, mild contact with nitric acid will result in minor irritation of the epidermis. Furthermore, direct contact can result in a staining of the skin and permanent scarring caused by acidic burns. Inhalation of nitric acid can be detrimental to a human and can damage the individual’s respiratory system.
• Hydrochloric Acid
Similar to nitric acid, hydrochloric acid is a chemical with corrosive properties when exposed to mucous membranes, human eyes, or the skin. Direct contact with hydrochloric acid can result in persistent coughing, chest pain, inflammation of the lungs, hoarseness, pulmonary oedema, and ulcers in the respiratory tract.
• Acetic Acid
Despite diluted acetic acid having no fatal effect when exposed to human skin or mucous membranes; there is a risk of being a health hazard if the substance is ingested as a strong solution. When consumed as a solution with more than 25% acetic acid, it is possible that the liquid chemical will present with corrosive properties affecting the eyes and skin of both humans and animals.
• Aqueous Ammonia
Aqueous ammonia is an explosive chemical substance that is able to damage the environment if improperly released during transportation from an industrial plant. Due to the chemical’s corrosive properties, any contact with a human’s skin, eyes, respiratory, or digestive tract can result in severe physical symptoms. The symptoms include permanent blindness, severe burns, lung disease, and potentially death.
Due to the fact that all the above chemicals, and many more corrosive and non-corrosive chemicals, are transported using chemical drum pumps; it is essential that personal safety considerations be taken into account for each transportation operation. All equipment needs to be cleaned after each transportation project and all operators must follow the correct safety regulations and precautions.
What Are the Top New Features of Chemical Drum Pumps?
In United States, at least one in every five patents granted falls in the field of chemistry; therefore, it is no wonder that the US chemical industry is one of the largest on the globe. According to a survey in 2012 conducted by the US Department of Commerce, this chemical industry employed approximately 784,000 workers and presented with a raw sales figure of $770 billion.
This is an astounding statistic and shows the progression of the chemical industry. Of course, as the chemical industry continues to grow in size they also continue to grow regarding needs. Nowadays, for a company operating in the chemical industry to ensure the safe transportation of chemical substances, it is essential that they have chemical drum pumps available.
The majority of these chemical drum pumps offer an almost “hands-free” approach to transfer chemical substances; thereby, ensuring the safe handling of corrosive and flammable components. Nowadays, the chemical drum pumps present with various features to increase the level of safety including the advanced metering systems and the safety first warranty.